Quotes for modeling on the runway of life

Let's Cook with Charles Repnow

January 23, 2013

The 2013 presidential inauguration in now history, and President Obama is our 45th Commander in Chief. What a beautiful day it turned out to be!

Always with the inauguration come many questions: What will the first lady be wearing? What will be the resounding message of the president? I will be the first to admit that fashions with all inaugurations are a high point with me. I enjoy recalling many of the first ladies' evening gowns. This year, however, my interest was heightened when early rumors were that President Obama may use a quote from a woman in his inaugural address. If he committed himself to this, I knew, he would be the first president to do so.

Next to jewel neck lines, capes, long gloves, chiffon and beaded lace that are transformed into flowing skirts, comes my love of words - especially quotes. I will admit that I was disappointed that President Obama did not use a quote from a woman. With that thought in mind, I have selected a few quotes that would have been very fitting - just like an inset waist!

These quotes are worth remembering and sharing. They remind us that often the first person that taught us to talk brings forth a wardrobe of quotes that never go out of style. These are a few quotes that President Obama could have use in his inaugural address.

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." - Erma Bombeck

I am a big believer that eventually everything comes back to you. You get back what you give out. - Nancy Reagan

Life has all sorts of hills and valleys, and sometimes you don't end up doing what you had your heart set out on, but sometimes that's even better! - Ruth Buzzi

Courage is the price that life exacts for granting peace. - Amelia Earhart

We gain strength, courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face ... we must do that which we think we cannot. - Eleanor Roosevelt

Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave. - Mary Tyler Moore

A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don't necessarily want to go, but ought to be. - Rosalynn Carter

I know I'm fat and I know my hair is straight, but I can sing. - Kate Smith

Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be. - Grandma Moses

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. - Edith Wharton

Keep in mind that the true measure of an individual is how he treats a person who can do him absolutely no good. - Ann Landers

In life, all good things come hard, but wisdom is the hardest to come by. - Lucille Ball

What we have to do ... is to find a way to celebrate our diversity and debate our differences without fracturing our communities. - Hillary Clinton

My recipe for dealing with anger and frustration: Set the kitchen timer for 20 minutes, cry, rant and rave, and at the sound of the bell, simmer down and go about business as usual. - Phyllis Diller

Each person must live their life as a model for others. - Rosa Parks

We learned about dignity and decency - that how hard you work matters more than how much you make ... that helping others means more than just getting ahead yourself. - Michelle Obama

Life is

Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it. - Mother Theresa

These inspiring words from women with uniquely different backgrounds have a common thread for all of us - Live our lives so that they are fulfilling. They also remind us to use the many diversified gifts each of us has been given and to respect the position that we model on the runway of life.

In closing I can recall a quote from Babe Didrikson Zaharias. President Obama may just have to use if this gridlock continues in our nation's capital: "Loosen your girdle and Let 'er fly!"

This recipe was taken from "The Congressional Club Cook Book" published in 1987. It was submitted by Jocelyn Birch Burdick, wife of former Senator Quentin Burdick.